dsslayer1210

So i've been reading a bunch of different articles on different grow techniques and Hempy buckets have caught my attention.

I've read the post by Ripcord, which was very detailed and informative but I have a few questions about detail so here goes.

Sorry if this is a repeat but I've tried searching for an answer on the forums and had little luck.

I'm gonna start with what I understand. 3 part perlite 1 part vermiculite mixed well and then rinse the mixture to remove the dust particles.

Drill a hole about 2 inches from the bottom of whatever container.

Fill the bucket with the potting mixture.

Put in the clone at the surface and let it grow. Now a few detail questions:
1) Do the plants grow because the potting mixture absorbs so much water that its ok if they aren't touching the bottom of the bucket?

2) When I water my bucket, I water until water flows out of the hole into say a tray of some sort, can I empty the tray? Is the water resorvoir just what is at the bottom 2 inches of the bucket?

My grow so far has been very messy with soil etc, they've started the flowering stage and I'm just trying to plan my next grow so that I can improve my techniques and whatnot.

Thanks in advance!

PigSnout

Yes, once the roots hit bottom the plants growth will take off
I believe the perlite wicks the water and the vermiculite retains it.

The tray is to catch the overflow. You'll want to empty it. After awhile you'll figure out exactly how much to water so alot doesnt come out. Dont want to waste nutes.

yes

SkierGuy23

I will add that I have never washed it first. The dust is simply crushed up perlite so what harm is it to have a bit on there? Some may argue but it has never caused me any harm.

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bluecheese

I've never washed mine either.

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HydroMoe

i didnt wash mine either and i have it all pre mixed in a garbage can.

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SkierGuy23

I use a 30 or 35 gallon Rubbermaid container.

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Gemini5

I also read Ripcords grow, more reading than I did in college...lol, but my question is, can you overwater, I know the drain hole lets out the water but what about refilling it before the bottom of the 2 gallon bucket is empty...would that cause any harm?

G5

dsslayer1210

G5 I don't think it's possible to overwater. From what I've read, you water almost everyday until you notice the plants start growing rapidly, which is a sign the roots have hit the bottom. After that water maybe everyother day to keep the resevoir full.

Can someone else verify this? I'll edit this if it's wrong so other people don't get confused.

One more question:

Say i want my plant to be about 3ft right when it's done flowering. Will a 2 gallon bucket allow me to grow said plant? I imagine transplanting would be a big hassle with hempy buckets.

tripps

Well, IDK, I never had any problems. You wouldn't want to top it off every day, or twice a day, if it wasn't feeling lighter, I went by weight, same as soil, til I kinda got to know it. When you put small transplants in, you should water lightly around the plant once a day for 2 or 3 days, just to keep the medium around it moist. I don't remember exactly how long it took to hit the res, but when they do, you'll know it, they take right off growing. I've had a really big plant in peak flower drink a full res every day, normally watered between every 2 - 4 or 5 days, depending on the size and growth stage.

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SkierGuy23

I always go by weight. I am not sure if you can over water or not but I imagine you can. If you water all the time (water running 24/7) I would imagine you would over water. If watering every day is too much I am not sure. However, I have had to water every day (three times every two days actually) because my plants were so root bound (a 18 ounce hempy sog isn't the best idea) towards the end of flower. This watering was necessary because, if I didn't, the damn plant fell over; it was so top heavy.

In conclusion, I went around in circles and the answer is yes, you can probably over water a hempy but I wouldn't be too worried about it. With that said, go by weight even at the beginning. I have planted seeds straight in 18 ounce hempies, watered by weight, and have yet to kill one.

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